🕊️ Starting with Prayer (Because, Obviously)

 

Fr. Simon immediately launches into prayer as soon as the mic’s hot. He’s moved. He leads us through:

 

-A powerful invocation of the Holy Spirit

 

-A Hail Mary 

 

-The classic St. Michael Prayer, originally composed after a vision by Pope Leo XIII 

 

There’s a reverent hush to it all, as if the whole world just took a sacred breath.

 

 

👤 On the Election of Pope Leo XIV: It’s Like a Funeral AND a Birth

 

Fr. Simon has lived through seven or eight conclaves, and he reflects on the bittersweet symbolism of a new pope:

 

-The Cardinal goes into the Room of Tears... literally a place of weeping and weight.

 

-Taking a new name is like a death to the old self and birth into a heavy mission.

 

“They’ve even taken away my shoes,” Fr. Simon recalls Pope John XXIII joking: a reminder that the papacy isn’t glam. It’s sacrificial.

 

He puts it bluntly: this is not about power. It’s about responsibility, and it's eternal-impact kind of responsibility.

 

 

Smart AND Holy? Yes, please.

 

Fr. Simon is genuinely excited about Pope Leo XIV. 

 

-Former Cardinal Robert Prevost

 

-From the South Side of Chicago (yes, relatable roots!)

 

-A mathematician and canon lawyer with flawless Latin 

 

 

🌹 Devotion to Mary: The Litmus Test of Catholic Love

 

Now THIS is where Fr. Simon gets beautifully poetic.

 

"A person who loves the Blessed Mother loves the Church. A person who disregards her, disregards the Church."

 

 

He reflects on rich theology about Mary:

 

-She’s the first member of the Church, literally accepting Jesus into her body.

 

-She was there at the Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost.

 

-She is the icon... the living image of the Church.

 

-Her Immaculate Conception was to ensure that the Church began in holiness.

 

Fr. Simon reminds us that Mary’s role is essential, not optional. Not background. Central.

 

 

❤️‍🔥 Why This Matters Now

 

Fr. Simon is genuinely hopeful. Pope Leo XIV leading a global Hail Mary in St. Peter’s Square truly matters. 

 

Let'spray for our new Pope and stay ever close to our Blessed Mama.

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

🕊️ Starting with Prayer (Because, Obviously)
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon immediately launches into prayer as soon as the mic&rsquo;s hot. He&rsquo;s moved. He leads us through:
&nbsp;
-A powerful invocation of the&nbsp;Holy Spirit
&nbsp;
-A&nbsp;Hail Mary&nbsp;
&nbsp;
-The classic St. Michael Prayer, originally composed after a vision by Pope Leo XIII&nbsp;
&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s a reverent hush to it all, as if the whole world just took a sacred breath.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="799" data-end="802">
&nbsp;
👤&nbsp;On the Election of Pope Leo XIV: It&rsquo;s Like a Funeral AND a Birth
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon has lived through seven or eight conclaves, and he reflects on the bittersweet symbolism of a new pope:
&nbsp;
-The Cardinal goes into the Room of Tears... literally a place of weeping and weight.
&nbsp;
-Taking a new name is like a death to the old self and birth into a heavy mission.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve even taken away my shoes,&rdquo; Fr. Simon recalls Pope John XXIII joking: a reminder that the papacy isn&rsquo;t glam. It&rsquo;s sacrificial.
&nbsp;
He puts it bluntly: this is not about power. It&rsquo;s about responsibility, and it's eternal-impact kind of responsibility.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1499" data-end="1502">
&nbsp;
Smart AND Holy? Yes, please.
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon is genuinely excited about Pope Leo XIV.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
-Former Cardinal Robert Prevost
&nbsp;
-From the South Side of Chicago (yes, relatable roots!)
&nbsp;
-A&nbsp;mathematician and canon lawyer with flawless Latin&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1998" data-end="2001">
&nbsp;
🌹&nbsp;Devotion to Mary: The Litmus Test of Catholic Love
&nbsp;
Now THIS is where Fr. Simon gets beautifully poetic.
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="2120" data-end="2231">
"A person who loves the Blessed Mother loves the Church. A person who disregards her, disregards the Church."
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
He reflects on rich theology about Mary:
&nbsp;
-She&rsquo;s the first member of the Church, literally accepting Jesus into her body.
&nbsp;
-She was there at the Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost.
&nbsp;
-She is the icon... the living image of the Church.
&nbsp;
-Her Immaculate Conception was to ensure that the Church began in holiness.
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon reminds us that Mary&rsquo;s role is essential, not optional. Not background. Central.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2733" data-end="2736">
&nbsp;
❤️&zwj;🔥&nbsp;Why This Matters Now
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon is genuinely hopeful. Pope Leo XIV leading a global Hail Mary in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square truly matters.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Let's pray for our new Pope and stay ever close to our Blessed Mama.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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